Windhoek
The student representative council (SRC) of the University of Namibia (Unam) last Friday officially launched the Land a Dollar campaign in response to President Hage Geingob’s call for all Namibians to support the urban land mass servicing project, which kicked off last month in Goreangab’s Extension 4.
The project stems from a meeting between the government and the Affirmative Repositioning (AR) movement held in Windhoek last month, where it was agreed that local authorities countrywide would identify land to be cleared and serviced in order to avail 200 000 plots for housing development. Geingob has called on the public to voluntarily assist.
The launch of the Unam campaign saw about 70 members of the public, mostly youth, stakeholders and executive members of the AR being briefed by the SRC president, Vincent Shimutwikeni, on the roll-out of the fund-raising campaign. He explained that the first phase would involve the distribution of drums to Unam campuses and outlets, or offices of Nampost, the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, Namibia Airports Company, Telecom Namibia and Shoprite.
“This is a clear indication that we as youth must assume our role in nation-building and stop relying on handouts from government,” he said. The SRC president encouraged all those who come across a campaign drum to make a contribution. Additionally, he said, a bank account has been opened for those who are willing to contribute through bank deposits.
The two-month campaign aims to raise at least one million Namibian dollars.
According to Shimutwikeni, the rationale is to create a culture of giving and voluntarism. He encouraged every student and each member of society to pledge at least one dollar towards the initiative. The campaign was launched under the theme, ‘Setting a foundation for your home’, which Shimutwikeni says takes on a literal meaning where all would contribute to the common goal of servicing land, “regardless of social status or class, as we all need a home”.
AR leader Job Amupanda applauded the initiative. “The youth of Namibia have to realise the power they possess in influencing change and that the success of the nation lies in the future generation, who are today’s young people. Gone are the days of relying on handouts and government dependency without their involvement and active participation,” he said.
Shimutwikeni said the campaign, headed by the Unam SRC under the auspices of the dean of students, has joined forces with multi-sectoral partners to optimise “collection sites and avenues of proceeds”. The campaign will conclude with an in-depth audit and all the money collected will be handed to the Office of President Geingob, he added.
Anyone who wants more information on the campaign is invited to visit the Land a Dollar site on Facebook or Twitter.